Ch.2727. Can You Trust My ‘That’?

“Absolutely not!”

“Why?”

It was just before departing to capture the lone daughter of Hongwaru.

The distance was considerable, and preparing for any complications meant leaving the mansion empty for at least several days.

I had intended to give Federicks, the butler, advance notice, but I never expected him to foam at the mouth in opposition like this.

“Young master, you’ve only recently gained Baron Byron’s trust. How could you consider wandering off already?”

“This is all to gain more trust.”

“You might fool others, but not me. Isn’t the place you’re heading to Cheonsenji, famous for its pleasure district!?”

“The direction is toward Cheonsenji, but that’s not my destination.”

Federicks, seemingly agitated, flared his nostrils and clenched his fists.

“Ask anyone on the street. If two men are heading toward Cheonsenji, one hundred out of one hundred people will say they’re going to the pleasure district.”

“Do you still distrust me that much?”

“I trust you now, young master. However…”

“However?”

Federicks slowly lowered his gaze until it stopped at my lower body.

“I cannot trust ‘that thing’ attached to men.”

“You have one too.”

“Unlike others, I practice self-restraint.”

Sigh…

As a man, I agree with that sentiment, but now is not the time!!

What’s the use of shouting about this all day? It only makes my mouth sore. Just my mouth!

“No matter what you say, I won’t change my mind about going, so give up.”

“What exactly is your reason for going to Cheonsenji?”

“I told you, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained. Just know that this is all for the family and myself.”

Despite his desperate opposition, Federicks crossed his arms and groaned “hmm” in frustration at my resolute expression.

Then, as if suddenly struck by insight, he lifted his head.

“Then, you should take Luna with you.”

“Why Luna?”

“Because no matter how much ‘that thing’ of yours might throb, you wouldn’t dare frequent pleasure houses with a grinning face in front of a female attendant, would you?”

“Wow, Federicks, you’ve changed. Didn’t you once vehemently object when I asked you to call Luna, saying I shouldn’t mess with the attendants?”

“That was when I didn’t trust you, young master.”

“Ah! So you think I’ll go to the pleasure district but won’t touch Luna? Can you trust ‘that thing’ of mine?”

I deliberately gave him a sleepy-eyed look, trying to get one over on him, but Federicks continued without flinching.

“For reasons I don’t understand, you don’t seem to view Luna in a romantic way. That’s why I decided this.”

This bastard…

As expected of a butler, his perception is razor-sharp.

I never thought he’d suggest Luna, a woman who could make any man drool.

Federicks was clearly uneasy about me going to Cheonsenji alone.

As he said, it was partly because of women, but also because places with pleasure districts are hotbeds for incidents.

However, I couldn’t take Riden Solice with me.

If he became Hongwaru’s target from the start, it would cause considerable trouble.

‘Even so…’

I couldn’t take Luna Brillhart, who could explode at any moment.

Didn’t I experience it during the previous kidnapping incident?

I almost became her pet due to a slight misstep.

Moreover, if we were alone together, she would crave more affection than usual, and I had too many things to do in Cheonsenji to accommodate all that.

‘I need to persuade Federicks first.’

There’s a saying that the more urgent something is, the more roundabout approach you should take.

Knowing Federicks’ personality, the more I pushed against Luna Brillhart, the more he would stubbornly push his conviction to the edge.

“Come to think of it, going with Luna might not be bad. It would have been quite lonely going alone.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’ve noticed Luna’s figure has become much more attractive lately.”

Federicks suddenly broke into a cold sweat, wiping it away with a handkerchief.

Seeming to think better of it, he crossed his arms again and groaned “hmm.”

Seeing this, I smiled victoriously, thinking I had won our verbal battle.

Or rather, I mistakenly thought I had won.

.

.

.

.

.

“Haha! I never thought I’d get to leave the domain with you like this, young master. It’s truly an honor as a knight!!”

With his neat crew cut and hearty appearance, he was quite a character.

A man with a build as vast as a mountain that would make troublemakers flee at the sight of him.

His name was,

“Jaji Wilson.”

“Are you making fun of my name again? Haha! Young master, you’re really mischievous!”

“Can’t you walk a bit more quietly?”

“Indeed, your grumpiness is truly charming, young master. Honestly, I misunderstood at first… but now I see through you!!”

Perhaps carrying a bomb would have been better?

With an expressionless face, I turned my head calmly.

We had walked quite far, as the mansion was now just a tiny dot in the distance.

Thinking of Riden Solice, who would surely be waiting for me there with hope, suddenly brought tears to my eyes.

*

“How are you feeling?”

“Father, thanks to you, my condition has improved greatly. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

This was the Familia domain, after returning from the joint monster hunt with the Alphonse family.

Baron Rene looked at Seri Familia with a still worried expression.

“No matter how fine you feel now, aftereffects can’t be ignored. So, try to refrain from moving around too much.”

“Yes… but I’m sorry about this. The joint monster hunt was something our family had been planning for quite some time.”

“Is that more precious than my daughter’s life? Besides, the accident happened because Byron and I got too excited about hunting after so long, so there’s no need to apologize.”

The joint monster hunt plan had ended abruptly due to the falling incident involving the youngest Alphonse, Selden Alphonse, and Seri Familia.

Though he didn’t show it, Baron Rene was also disappointed.

He had a clear goal.

What kind of family were the Alphonses?

They were geographically adjacent to his family and had a solid standing within the nearby domains.

Therefore.

Although he outwardly stated that the opinions of those involved were important regarding marriage, as a father, he strongly desired to marry off his only daughter, Seri Familia, to the Alphonse family.

Excluding the only daughter, the third child, and the fifth child who was rumored to be a good-for-nothing, what remained were the first, second, and fourth sons.

However, the first and second sons were much older and already married, so without many options, he had considered the fourth son, Leonard Alphonse.

That’s why he had subtly suggested to Baron Byron that the fourth son participate in this joint monster hunt plan.

But.

Due to the unexpected falling accident, he had returned without even getting a chance to test the waters, which was why he blamed himself.

Baron Rene sighed, reflecting on his mistake of getting too excited about the monster hunt.

‘Leonard clearly seemed to like our daughter.’

But what could he do about it?

The water was already spilled.

As Baron Rene’s expression hardened, Seri Familia peeked her head out.

“Father, you have another worry, don’t you?”

At Seri Familia’s question, Baron Rene quickly softened his expression and forced an awkward smile.

“It’s nothing for my daughter to worry about.”

“Is it because you couldn’t discuss the marriage with Leonard Alphonse?”

“Ah, no, how did you know that…?”

“As your only daughter, of course I would notice.”

Baron Rene closed his eyes tightly.

It was also regrettable for him to marry off his daughter, who was not only beautiful but also had an excellent character, to another family, regardless of which continent they were on.

However, he still firmly believed that this would make his daughter the happiest.

“If you know, it makes it easier to talk about. Then, as your father, I’d like to hear your honest feelings.”

“I actually liked Selden Alphonse.”

“Sel, Selden Alphonse?”

The youngest son of the Alphonse family, who had the modifier “the good-for-nothing at the edge of the Eastern Continent,” had initially been given a failing grade as a potential son-in-law.

However, whether the rumors were exaggerated or he had matured, from what he had seen in person, he was actually a well-mannered young man with promising prospects.

Moreover, his daughter liked him, so what more could he ask for?

“What did you like about Selden Alphonse?”

“Hmm, his confidence. He stood his ground and expressed his opinions even in front of you, Father.”

“You’re right. A man should have that kind of spirit.”

“So, can I see Selden Alphonse again?”

“Hahaha! Do you like him that much?”

From what he had heard, Selden Alphonse was far behind in line for the heir position in his family, but Baron Rene didn’t mind much.

After all, that could just be a rumor, and even if it were true, his position could change instantly if he became his father-in-law.

“Alright, I’ll talk to Baron Byron.”

“Wow! I can’t wait to see Selden Alphonse again!”

Baron Rene laughed heartily, pleased to see his daughter so childishly excited.

So much so that he didn’t hear his daughter’s quiet murmur…

-I can’t wait to see him! Selden Alphonse still has so much more to show me…